When Is It Safe To Let Kittens Outside

Ideally cats should be six months of age before they are allowed outside unsupervised.

When is it safe to let kittens outside. Instead make your home more interesting. Most kittens are prepared to leave the house and to explore the outside world at six months old. Once your kitten is big enough to defend themselves from small predators and birds it is safe to let them roam free outside without supervision. Here are some of the most common reasons people let their cats outside and safer indoor alternatives.

Start bringing the kittens outside when they re four weeks old. Introduce the outdoors gradually when it s at least 6 months old and limit its time outside at first. If it s a large area and especially if you have dogs fence off or somehow enclose an area where they are free to explore without them dropping off a wall or getting snatched up in rover s jaws. Letting your kitten out for the first time can be nerve wracking but there are steps you can take to keep it safe and healthy.

The truth is indoor cats can and do get bored but letting them outside is not a good solution. This gives them time to mature and also to be neutered. Typically kittens are litter trained by the time they are 4 to 6 weeks of age. However before you allow your kitten free access outdoors.

Since this age is also ideal for taming them interact with them outdoors so they aren t afraid of you. But make sure to carry out common sense checks around your garden for sharp edges such as rusty nails especially in areas that might be tempting to squeeze into. One of the top risks of letting your kitten roam around the house at night on its own is having litter accidents all over your place. As the kitten grows older the time outdoors can be increased until the kitten becomes independent and has learnt his recall down to a tee.

Indoor cats get bored. Keep in mind vets recommend keeping cats inside so consider enriching your pet s indoor environment with lots of toys. Four months old is the earliest kittens can be neutered. By this age the kitten is already familiar with your home and will be able to track their way back after their adventure.

Kittens are very inquisitive and can fit through the tiniest of spaces so make sure to keep an eye out for those areas you might not otherwise. Most cats cope pretty well with the general garden environment says petplan veterinary expert brian faulkner. Once it is fully vaccinated and has become used to living in your house you can start to let your kitten go outside a bit more. Be sure to vaccinate and spay or neuter your kitten before letting it out and remove hazards from your yard such as toxic chemicals.

You could then let it explore outside if it is supervised. It s best to let him out just before mealtime so you can use your recall to call your kitten indoors and reward with tasty food or playtime. This is why it is crucial to have your fuzzy little bundle of love litter trained before allowing it to roam alone. You might want to supervise your kitten the first few times you take them outside for peace of mind.

Because of potential infection with diseases such as enteritis or cat flu your kitten should not be allowed outside until at least a week after it has finished its first course of vaccinations at about 13 14 weeks old depending on the vaccine. You can start to slowly introduce your kitten to the outside once his recall is in place for short supervised sessions always keeping your kitten in sight. Generally what is safe enough for children is safe enough for cats.